We kissed the warm summer sun goodbye last month and now it’s time to break out the heavy winter jackets. Snow is expected this week in Colorado and Wyoming (did they even have much of a summer?) and it won’t be long before shoveling snow becomes a part of the daily routine.

But, don’t put away those summer knits just yet… Florida is offering luxurious, family-friendly escapes this fall that could fit your budget! Here are a few options:

ST. PETE BEACH

The TradeWinds Resort Island Grand is a TravelPlusWine personal favorite! This 20-acre beachfront playgrounds gives both kids and adults the space they need. Let the kids play at the KONK Club while you enjoy the serenity of an adults-only swimming pool or a scream-free romantic meal. Don’t forget to make time for everyone in the family to enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters and sandy shore of the Gulf of Mexico. We signed up for paragliding and the views of Treasure Island are impossible to beat.

If you’ve had enough of the beach, visit Tampa for great art, shopping, and amazing cuisine.

Rates from $149

ORLANDO

The Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa in the Walt Disney® World Resort offers spacious guest rooms and suites, complete with refrigerators and microwaves — a nice bonus when traveling with picky eaters. Children can spend the day in the water and sun at Recreation Island playing Marco Polo or enjoy the playground. Babysitting services are available so mom and dad can relax in the 10,000 square feet of spa space and choose from 60 spa treatments. Or perhaps hit a few balls on the golf course.

Downtown Disney is at a walking distance across the street and the hotel offers shuttle service to any Walt Disney World parks nearby.

Rates From $99, Plus Up to $100 Resort Credit and Kids Eat Free

BOCA RATON

Boca Beach Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is located on a half-mile of private beach on the Atlantic Ocean! The resort offers a unique cosmopolitan style that mixes a sleek European sensibility with Florida beach chic… and it’s kid friendly! Head to the spa, play tennis, or lounge by the famous pool and pretend you’re Jennifer Lopez while the kids enjoy their new friends at Camp Boca.

The Uniquely Boca Winter Package, available from September 15, 2011 through December 15, 2011, is an ideal value-oriented getaway at the oceanfront with rates starting from $269 per night. This package is filled with free and discounted activities for guests of every age and interest.

Meet Katie

Katie Skow proclaims there’s nothing better than a beautiful, exotic destination paired with a glass of the finest local wine. She embodies la belle vie.
Her travels have brought her to about two-dozen countries on nearly every continent, with the exception of Antarctica.
Highlights include Thailand, France, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Italy, Uganda, Mexico, Morocco, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Kenya. Choosing a favorite destination, like choosing the best wine, would be impossible—each has its incomparable character, elegance, aroma, and finesse.
In her spare time, other than drinking wine and traveling, Katie enjoys experimenting with new recipes, reading, and long walks. She is also fluent in French and Spanish. click here →